Giant Eagle supermarket and GetGo employees will have to return to wearing a face mask while guests are being strongly encouraged to wear a mask regardless of their COVID-19 vaccine status, according to a release from the company.
The new mask policy for employees begins Aug. 4 and the company is strongly requesting guests wear face masks starting Aug. 6.
A spokesperson said guests will not be turned away if they are not wearing a mask.
In May, Giant Eagle announced people who were fully vaccinated no longer had to wear masks as COVID-19 cases dropped.
The reversal comes as COVID-19 cases continue to increase across the country.
Last week, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommended everyone in Franklin, Licking, Delaware, Pickaway, Ross and Marion counties all wear face masks due to the rising COVID-19 case rate.
All six counties moved from moderate to substantial in the CDC's level of community transmission tracker.
